The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Finance Business Partner to join our busy Finance Team, providing key financial support to business units within the Resources directorate and in particular our trading subsidiary Clio Enterprises Limited (Clio), whose primary purpose is venue sales in regard to our premises, 10 –11 Carlton House Terrace.

The premises itself is currently undergoing a major renovation within the basement and mezzanine levels transforming them into three large event spaces, beautifully designed and in keeping with our historic building but with modern functionality. The launching of these event spaces will be key to the future performance of Clio, giving rise to further reporting needs and analysis, representing an exciting time to be joining and working with the Clio team.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Finance Business Partner role works closely with other members of the Finance Team and in particular business partnering with colleagues from Facilities, HR, IT & Venue Sales. The Finance Team is a friendly team, part of the Academy’s Resources Directorate comprising of Finance, and the teams mentioned above. We take great pride in supporting our colleagues in the Academy, providing an accurate and prompt service to all customers to the department.

A core duty of the role is to take the lead in financial management and reporting of Clio, providing financial analysis and advice and working with colleagues from the Venue Sales & Marketing team to monitor performance and achieve key financial targets, plus supporting milestone tasks such as budgeting, forecasting and financial statements. The knowledge of day-to-day operational transactions will also be required to cover periods of absence of other colleagues, including the import of sales data to the finance system and ownership of the debtor ledger. This is a key opportunity to establish relationships and make an early positive impact. You will have a keen attention to detail as well as a proactive approach to problem solving in terms of planning, prioritisation and demonstrating resilience when faced with adversity. You will also be an effective communicator, being able to collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial management and reporting (working with the business units: Facilities, HR and IT)

• Providing financial analysis, advice and support to business units working with them collaboratively to monitor financial performance and achieve financial targets.

• Lead on the development of financial reporting within those business units.

• Supporting the preparation of the Academy’s financial management reports through the preparation and submission of journal entries in regard to items such as accrued costs, prepayments and depreciation

Budgeting and forecasting (working with the business units: Facilities, HR and IT)

• Supporting the annual budget setting process, working with budget holders to establish forthcoming needs and plans

• Supporting the production of quarterly financial forecasts in collaboration with budget holders, identifying projected budget variances and any mitigating actions required

Working with the Trading subsidiary (Clio Enterprises Ltd – ‘Clio’)

• Providing in depth financial analysis and reporting upon the many areas of trading performance, including the development of regular reporting packs to be used by Clio management to monitor and analyse financial performance.

• Support the production of ongoing financial forecasts in conjunction with Clio management, identifying projected variances, modelling scenarios, and analysing their potential impact.

• Responsibility for the reconciliation of deferred income balance in conjunction with Clio staff, taking appropriate, timely actions to identify and resolve any discrepancies arising.

• Responsibility for the maintenance and reconciliation of the intercompany position between Clio and the Academy, scheduling payments to transfer balances.

• Lead on the preparation of Clio’s statutory accounts and liaison with external auditors.

• Establish a knowledge and understanding of key Clio processes, such as the import of sales invoices from the booking system and the sales ledger control account, ensuring appropriateness of coding, accuracy or amounts, completeness of information and reconciliations, to support the function in the event of absence.

 Other financial

• Supporting the preparation of the Academy’s annual year end accounts and audit process, providing audit evidence, liaising with external auditors, and resolving queries

• Ensuring staff compliance with financial policies and procedures

• Supporting the development and implementation of best financial practices, ensuring key processes are documented and control weaknesses identified and rectified. Including acting upon any recommendations made by the Academy’s Internal Auditors.

• Ensuring budget holders have an awareness and understanding of financial performance, procedures and provide training where necessary. Supporting the general maintenance and upkeep of the Finance system and connected management information reports including the creation and amendment of new account codes and cost centres

• To respond to general day-to-day financial queries received by the department from both internal and external sources.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

Budget holders, including managers and those with delegated responsibility, members of the finance team and the staff of the Academy and Clio.

External

Customers, suppliers, auditors and professional advisers

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

AAT or equivalent desirable

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively.

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative, and not waiting to be asked

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills.

• Demonstrates credible finance experience

• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate

• Makes suggestions for improving the way things are done

• Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses, and prepared to admit own mistakes

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks

• Shares knowledge and skills with others

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Prioritises tasks to meet deadlines

• Displays resilience in coping with workload

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input

• Evaluates and manages risks effectively

• Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Identifies problems and opportunities and acts on them

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead

• Copes with the unexpected

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Right to work in the UK

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview, which could incorporate a task or presentation component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 22 August 2023.